• Cycling in Cattolica •

In dialect pronounced as “Catòlga”, to everyone else it is known as the town of Cattolica. Whatever we may call it, there is no doubt that we are talking about the “Queen of the Adriatic”, a small fishing village that has managed to make virtue out of necessity, thanks to the dedication of the small community of fishermen and boatmen, which has formed and developed in symbiosis with the Adriatic.Its hinterland, however, will bring you back in time, to the centuries when these lands stirred with bitter disputes among the local Lords, the Montefeltro and the Malatesta Seigniories, a collection of ancient castles, impregnable towers, inaccessible walls and natural terraces offering breathtaking scenery.

• Cattolica bike hotels •

• Where to ride in Cattolica•

The Panoramica

Imagine a winding road, surrounded by hills covered in pine forests, fragrant linden trees and yellow broom bushes, natural terraces that direct the gaze to wonder, lower, not far away, over the intense blue of the sea: this is the Panoramica, road that stretches from Gabicce to Pesaro in a succession of ups and downs, of twists and turns.
And it is here, along these gentle curves, that Valentino Rossi developed his skills, on a stage of infinite motorsport challenges that have engaged generations of fans.

Times have changed and the challenges are played on videogames, but the Panoramica continues to retain its charm. Almost always deserted or travelled by cyclists of all inclinations, it is worth the effort to follow it, curve after curve, through the fertile fields towards Casteldimezzo, nestled in the San Bartolo Natural Park. From here, we turn our attention towards nearby Gradara, where the love story between Paolo and Francesca narrated in the fifth canto of Dante’s Inferno is set, continuing towards Fiorenzuola and Santa Maria Alta.
Departing from Cattolica, the itinerary covers a distance of 90 km, with an altitude difference of 650 metres, for which a 39×23 should suffice. With Gabicce Mare behind, the junction for Gabicce Monte will put us on the Panoramica road, quickly leading us to Pesaro and Fano, surrounded by nature, flowers, vegetation and charming views.

The Fortresses and the Castles of the Malatesta Seigniory

The Malatesta Seigniory … who are they you ask? The Malatesta House ruled the territory of Rimini and the surrounding area for approximately three centuries, from the end of the 1200‘s to the mid 1500’s. Surrounded by a picturesque and rugged landscape, offering views of towers, fortresses, castles and tranquil cobbled streets.This challenge is not particularly difficult and covers a distance of approximately 100 km, with four climbs and some up and down stretches (a 39×25 may come in handy for a number of ascents).

We set off from Cattolica heading towards San Giovanni in Marignano. We continue along a sloping road through Gradara and Monteluro, where we tackle a 300 m ascent that in approximately 3 km leads us to Tavullia, Valentino Rossi’s home village. From here we have the opportunity to admire the first spectacular landscape that opens up over the plain of sunflowers, with the Summit of Mount Carpegna dominating the view with its 1,358 metres.
Taking the provincial road towards Montegrimano, we climb the 15% slope to arrive in the medieval town of Mondaino, part of the Malatesta legacy, at 400 metres above sea level. Just enough time to enjoy the scenery and catch out breath before continuing towards Tavoletto, known for its castle that dates back to the 1300’s.
In Tavoletto we stop for a drink at the famous “Cannella del Ciclista”, the refreshing fountain that has became a must-see for all cyclists.
A slight downhill and a few ups and downs still to go before reaching the Fortress of Montefiore, another Malatesta gem offering privileged views over the Valconca. From here we ride towards the oldest Republic in the world, the small State of San Marino. Finally, we return towards Cattolica, with the road in our favour.

Gradara and Monte San Bartolo (MTB)

Trained and experienced bikers should circle this challenge in red: a distance of 40 km to an altitude of 1,211 m through the Park of Montalbano, San Giovanni in Marignano, Gradara, the Monte San Bartolo Park trails, Baia Vallugola and Gabicce.
Certainly, there is no shortage of historical treasures, such as the fortress of Gradara, dating back to the 14th century, surrounded by a double defensive wall, a place of pleasant delights since ancient times, which have inspired it to be known as the “grata aura” (good air). But also memorable landscapes: dense woods, trails leading to the valley floor, cycling paths along the Conca river, hills dominating the valleys that open over the sea, blue skies tinged in ochre, and the lush green surrounding countryside.We will tackle challenging gradients along the ascent to Gradara (maximum slopes of 10%) and in the climb to Monte San Bartolo with steep slopes up to 20%. It is best to also pay attention during the descents as the slopes continue to be quite steep.

The tour of the two Mountains (MTB)

Here is an ideal testing ground for bikers who wish to confront a demanding route of average difficulty with rugged slopes: a distance of 30 km with an altitude difference of 1,739 m. The tour departs from Montecerignone, just below the village fortress built during the 12th century by Buonconte of Montefeltro.
We climb towards the “shrine of the blessed Dominic”, and, after passing through a beautiful stretch of woods, still travelling uphill, we arrive at the foot of Villagrande. From here, riding along the road, we make our way to the Magnone Valley where a very technical descent full of challenging potholes and rocks takes us to the Conca river.

Less experienced bikers are advised to travel very carefully along this stretch and if unsure, to dismount. Along the river we make our way to the village of Cà Secco, tackling slopes with inclines of up to 30%, where we will find a water fountain.
We now climb to Monte S. Lorenzo and, reaching the altitude of the Astronomical Observatory, we continue straight along the unpaved road. A few more ups and downs until we reach the “Strada Vicinale della Serra” trail, and along the ridge of the mountain, we take the Faggiola provincial road.
We tackle more trails and unpaved stretches until arriving in Monte Cerignone.

• TerraBici. The Land of Cycling •

We are located in Emilia Romagna, region bordered by Veneto and the beautiful cities of Venice and Padua to the North, and by Tuscany, Umbria and Marche to the South, offering charming cities such as Florence, Perugia, Assisi and Urbino.

We are characterised by a concentration of adrenaline, traditions and typical cuisine, captured in the most beautiful tours that touch sites on the Adriatic coast such as Cesenatico, the land of Pantani, and reach all the way to Ferrara and Ravenna, cities of art and history, passing through rugged ascents such as those of Cippo and Carpegna, or the Cimone in Modena.

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